Aerial Measuring System Geophysical Calibration Longitudinal Study

Abstract:

Aerial radiological measurement are used the world over as a source of geophysical data, environmental restoration, and nuclear and radiological emergency response. The Department of Energy maintains a capability, called the Aerial Measuring System (AMS), whose primary mission is that of nuclear and radiological emergency response, but also supports both geophysical and environmental measurements. AMS sensors are calibrated for geophysical measurements against concrete pads. The pads, located in Grand Junction, CO, are doped with known amounts of naturally occurring radiological materials. This work is a longitudinal analysis of data collected at these pads, which are then tested against ground based radiological measurements, and finally tested against physical sampling performed in two study areas in Southern Nevada. This work builds on Marsac (2016) and Haber (2017) to validate AMS calibration through time.

Haber, Daniel A. et al. "Modeling Background Radiation In Southern Nevada". Journal Of Environmental Radioactivity, vol 171, 2017, pp. 41-64. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.01.020. Accessed 23 July 2020.

Marsac, Kara E. et al. "Modeling Background Radiation Using Geochemical Data: A Case Study In And Around Cameron, Arizona". Journal Of Environmental Radioactivity, vol 165, 2016, pp. 68-85. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.07.012. Accessed 23 July 2020.

This work was done by Mission Support and Test Services, LLC, under Contract No. DE-NA0003624 with the U.S. Department of Energy. DOE/NV/03624—0836.